Day ride to Ipoh – Tasik Cermin & Intan Suraya Camp

It was a hectic week with new projects in the office and the gap between rides really wearing me down. Browsing through my fb groups, I decided to join a ride organized by road less travelled Guru from Penang, Mr. Teh Soon Kwang (Teh SK). The ride is to a spot called ‘Lubang’ which is a caved entrance to Tasik Cermin, which is a natural lake formed in the middle of limestone walls and cliff in Gunung Rapat, Ipoh.

I ride solo from Rawang all the way to Gunung Rapat that Sunday morning through north south expressway. The traffic is clear and weather is wonderful with beautiful cloud formation was seen above Tanjung Malim skies. 

I arrived at Tasik Cermin (Coordinate: 4°33'33.01" 101°7'10.47") around 11.15am only to find that the entrance was blocked by a company who is running a quarry operation in the surrounding area.

Teh SK and his team arrived about 30 minutes later and at that time the entrance is opened and we ride into the area with ease. There is a little bit off road action getting into the opening as the quarry is still active and the dirt road is muddy.

The entrance is carved from the rock forming a cave and the cave is big enough for our motorcycles to pass through and parked at the end of the opening right before the aluminum pier.

The team had their brunch on site and we spent time relaxing and enjoying the scenery but nobody dares to swim in the lake. 

More photograph session as picture last longer!

Later that day we departed to our second destination, which is Intan Suraya Camp (Coordinate 4°56'59.8", 100°58'50.9") located just after the historical Chenderoh dam. 

We stopped by a small stall in Sungai Siput for a refreshing herbal drink, recommended by Mr. Kalai

The last section of the journey is through plantation and small but nice road

(Ignore the date on picture)

The camp is nicely set up on the riverbank of Perak River with a nice view of the dam wall and lush greenery along the riverbank. 

The camp owner sat with us and we chatted over Nasi Goreng and drinks. It is this kind of hospitality that made the ride to rural and less-travelled areas such as this made it worthwhile.

but the owner left seconds before I snap this picture!

I took a dip in the cold and refreshing river 2 times and the current in-front of the resort is quite strong. Buoy ride from the dam to the resort camp is also available which will take about 15minutes to complete.

We took off from the camp around 6pm and we say goodbye to each other at Kuala Kangsar toll gate. Teh SK and his team departed north back to Penang while I ride down to Rawang. My advice to riders anticipating the same ride is to bring along food to Tasik Cermin but do not leave any litters around.

Photo Credit to Teh Soon Kwang

I had a blast riding and I do hope to join them again in the future.

Photo Credit to Teh Soon Kwang

Ride snippets:

Riders: 

Teh Soon Kwang Versys 650

Ryo Nurshirwan KTM 690 SMC

Lee Tuckwai FZ150

Eddie Quah ER6F 

Gerald Richards Versys 650

Kalai Selvan Ramanathan F800

Myself Versys 650

Distance: 250km (just for me, the others are from Penang)

Duration: 9 Hours

Petrol: RM90

Date: 21^st February 2016